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Hiro Komae / AP
Dogs wander around the town of Minami Soma, inside the deserted evacuation zone established around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex in Japan on April 7.
Ryan Nakashima of AP reports from Tokyo: When Etsumi Ogino saw a news photo of a pack of shelties wandering through an abandoned town near Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear plant, she thought of her own 13-year-old canine Kein and jumped into action.
"My heart trembled," said Ogino, a 56-year-old volunteer at an animal shelter in Chiba prefecture. "They looked just like my dog. I started searching for them right away."
Tamiko Nakamura / Sheltie Rescue via AP
A volunteer from Sheltie Rescue tries to rescue a dog sitting among tsunami debris in Minami Soma on April 10, in a zone that was off-limits to people because of radiation fears. The group rescued a pack of shelties after seeing an Associated Press photo of them roaming in the abandoned town near Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear plant.
She and others around Japan called Asahi.com, the website of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, which had run the photo. An Associated Press photographer had snapped that photo and others of the dogs on an empty street in Minami Soma city, an area evacuated because of radiation fears.
On Saturday, the AP gave her details of where the dogs were spotted.
Ogino relayed the information to a team of animal rescuers called Sheltie Rescue. By then, the group had been getting emails from dog lovers around the country about the abandoned pack.
Through emails and Internet research it was established that the owner of the dogs was a breeder in Minami Soma. The group contacted the Fukushima city branch of the Japan Collie Club, tracked the owner down by phone at a shelter and got her go-ahead to rescue the dogs.
Tamiko Nakamura / Sheltie Rescue via AP
Sheltie Rescue volunteers feed dogs before they rescue the stranded dogs in Minami Soma on April 10.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, seven volunteers left Tokyo and drove over broken roads and past demolished houses to meet three other volunteers in the ghost town that Minami Soma has become. Some had prepared radiation suits and others wore simple vinyl raincoats.
The first two to arrive found the pack around the Odaka train station, near the owner's home, where the AP team had last seen them.
"They were waiting for their owner," said Tamiko Nakamura, a volunteer who went with the group from Tokyo.
The dogs had been left some dry food, and weren't starving.
It took a while to entice them with snacks, and six or seven were bundled into each car. The group saved 20 dogs in all.
Tamiko Nakamura / Sheltie Rescue via AP
One of the dogs rescued from Minami Soma is treated at an animal hospital in Kawasaki, near Tokyo on April 11.
Most were taken to a veterinary clinic in Kanagawa prefecture just west of Tokyo. Others are being cared for by individuals in other areas.
The owner, worn down by the disaster and worrying about her dogs, was "extremely happy," Nakamura said. She said the owner did not want her identity revealed.
Nakamura only regrets that some of the dogs in the pack ran away and countless others are still stranded in the evacuation zone.
"There are still some left behind," she said. "I'm concerned about them and want to pull them out."
--- Associated Press writer Eric Talmadge and photographer Hiro Komae spotted the dogs in Minami Soma on April 7.
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Leave a Comment:
Hope the people are okay and glad they saved the dogs. So sad all around...
RESCUE THE DOGS ,, What they were doing is going to get supper !!
Wrong country Stan. Long ago (& maybe less commonly today) dog was a delicacy in CHINA.
Wrong country. The Japanese has had reverence towards dogs since the 1600s when the feudal shogunate at the time, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, passed a decree that no dogs should be killed and that they are superior to man in many ways.
you're disgusting. one can only hope you are kidnapped by a pack of cannibals someday.
Nice story, bet Stan was just confused and was thinking of the beautiful dolphins and whales that the Japs brutally and sadistically murder each year.
Not a very prudent action. Human life comes before animal life.
What separates us from the beasts is the fact that we will put our lives at risk to help them.
Frankly, I like animals a hell of a lot more than I like some people.
Well said BJs65.
Scott's post proves some of us have not evolved much past these animals. Hopefully every one of them will be saved.
Agreed BJs65, we consider ourselves so smart, but we have to do our job in protecting those around us. Those dogs were loyal and waiting for their owners, I'm glad to hear that people cared enough to go out there and help them.
You're a disgusting person. Someone does something incredibly loving for these animals and your contribution is to criticize them.
A human is not a human without humanity built in:
(n.) Mankind collectively; the human race.
(n.) The quality of being human; the peculiar nature of man, by which he is distinguished from other beings.
(n.) The quality of being humane; the kind feelings, dispositions, and sympathies of man; especially, a disposition to relieve persons or animals in distress, and to treat all creatures with kindness and tenderness.
I believe we will be judged on how we treat animals. We are all God's creatures. Thank you to those that are rescuing the animals!
Some people are so ignorant and selfish it amazes me. Animal life came before human life, pay your respects buddy.
Yes, human life does come before animals, which is why all of the humans were evacuated from the area weeks ago. These volunteers weren't cruising past stranded people to get to the dogs. They were going into an abandoned area to help the only living things left there.
THX, you can think that if you want, but what does the fact that I don't believe that tell you? That perhaps you will matter to me just as much as the dog in the picture would. Does that change your perception on "human" life? The dogs can't sue the government, where the humans can. But I guess that thought never occured to you before you wrote that. You seem to be speaking for humans, but I can assure you some of us think more of the world than your shallow view.
@ Dee
I prefer to look at it this way:
"There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge.... and which are turned away..."
That is nice. Also add humans and animals, signifying that we are all the same. Earth's creatures.
Rene278- Thank you for that! I am going to post it on my FB!
The devastation and heartbreak that has descended upon the Japanese people is unimaginable and I hope America will come to their aide with every available resource (instead of dropping bombs on Libya) and it does my heart good to see people give of themselves to help these animals. They are to be commended!
These people are angels! Thank God for them.
poor dogs! They must have been so confused why all the people disappeared and abaondoned them! At least they had food. But there are probably many more trapped inside homes or wandering the streets tryign to survive!
The last photo that shows a rescued dog being given attention... You can see in the expression on the dog's face that s/he is relieved to be there.
It would be pretty unsettling for a domestic animal used to being taken care of by people to witness such a devastating earthquake then find themselves virtually alone in a ghost town. No way they could understand what happened.
Are the dogs in jeopardy of becoming ill from the radiation?
Not unless they were in the Nuke plant or swimming in the Ocean right next to the plant.
I have to disagree with your post. The fact that the article says that humans are risking radiation exposure to rescue the animals means that the dogs are in areas that perhaps were evacuated by humans due to the radiation levels. I think the radiation evac zone is larger than just at the nuke plant or in the ocean right next to the plant, no?
It depends on the degree of exposure and the age of the dogs.
Well I hope they are thoroughly checked the same as a human would. I don't know the metabolism of a dog, but I would imagine the health effects are the same as a human.
What a touching, sweet story....i would try and do the same....
Finally, the national news does a story about the people who are rescuing the animals in Japan! Not only are they helping the animals but they are helping their owners also who are worried about the pets they left behind. Knowing that their pets are safe will bring them comfort during these trying times for them. Check out the JEARS website about more animal rescues going on in Japan and how you can help or donate.
For anyone who reads postsecret books or the website, there is a very poignant postcard about a homeless dog that says, "I feel worse for homeless animals than people." And I cannot say that I do not feel more sympathy at times for the animals that suffer than the people, but that is just me... I send my well wishes and thanks to those that are volunteering in Japan to rescue the defenseless animals that are suffering from this terrible tradgedy as well. And I third BJ's comment, I like my dogs and other dogs far more than some human beings!
I would have done the same thing to rescue them. God bless those people for caring.
Cool story, but foot note: the dogs all appear to be the same breed. What's up with that?
They are all the same breed because the owner breeds Shelties for a living. You didn't read the article very well. On a happy note, it's great to see these dogs were rescued and I hope the others are found too.
hooray for the heroes rescuring these poor dogs.
Civilizations are judged in history by how they treat animals. Japan has a horrible reputation with it's whale hunting and dolphin massacres. The earthquake and tsunami may be the chickens coming home to roost!! Karma
good point, i guess i'm not the only one who felt that way too.
How is your viewpoint on whale hunting, or any other protest activity you decide to believe in, relevant to this story? Because you wish the Japanese people and their animals ill will and harm for whale hunting? Karma as in to hec with the dogs as punishment for whale hunting? How do you make sense? Stop letting television shows guide your viewpoint of worldly events.
Genius comment.
We're in trouble, we Americans kill a lot of cows and chicken. Karma will get us.
i think she meant something like, at least we don't eat and kill everything that walks n craws. whales can live to be over 200 yrs and dolphins are very intellgent creatures. remember whales were almost gone at one time. just saying. but i personally don't eat beef.
I was pretty taken aback by this comment , although it did make me look at myself. Last night I condemned all Canadians for killing the first seal pup (yesterday). I would guess most Canadians do not agree with this horrible way of making the almighty $. I don't want to be judged by every action the US government makes ,with that said I am not going to make blanket judgement against others.
Will karma brings his chameleon?
Boy George? LOL
God bless the people who risked there lives to help save those beautiful dogs. It just shows that there are good people out there. You are true heroes. God Bless!
Read the story again. They are shelties that belonged to a breeder -- thus all the same breed -- shelties. ;)
I wonder if the dogs will be ok. I love shelties. If they were proven to be healthy, I'd adopt one and bring it over...but I doubt the US will allow any animal to come over from that zone.
There are shelties in shelters in THIS country that need adoption.
Dogs can be brought to the US from other countries with the proper health documents and mandated quarantine period, but it is very expensive (up to $3000) so it isn't common. The radiation would not be an issue since it is not a communicable disease. Still, the fact that you say you would adopt only if they were healthy is sad. It could take a while for the effects of radiation to become apparent and sick animals need love and protection just as much as healthy ones.
That's one of the biggest obstacles we face with pet adoption; people who won't take a less-than-perfectly-healthy animal.
And jmss is right; there are millions of pets right here that need homes, and most of them will die waiting.
Thank God there are people who love dogs as much as I. THey cannot be left there and must be rescued if at all possible.
There are still alot of dogs and cats in these cities, Many people thought they would return and left pets. It's such a heat breaking situation. There are animal rescue groups in Japan who are doing everything they can to help. Yesterday I donated 8000 yen $96.00 through paypal (so easy).
Our furry kids count too. Thank you rescuers for honoring life.
These people are pure "angels" for rescuing these dogs. God be with every one of you...
I have shetlies - I would swim an ocean, walk through fire and even swallow radiation to save them - they're the BEST!
But will you part with money to hop on a plane and go there and save them?
Real Happy to see this kind of news. Happy the dogs are saved and thankful for people that do things like this.
Truly heroic of them to rescue those poor dogs, too bad the rest of the world doesn't have such compassion and sympathy, instead they have selfishness and ignorance. I hope in the end, its not a dog that needs to save you.
I saw a beautiful Persian cat sitting in a window in one of the houses, but I don't believe anyone can get to it without permission from the home owner. The Japanese are very strict about anyone entering their houses even if they don't intend to go back (or can't).